KUANTAN: Screening measures have been stepped up at the Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Airport (LTSAS) and the Kuantan Port here to curb the spread of the novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the state.
A LTSAS spokesman said thermal scanners manned by health officers had been installed at the main terminal to screen international passengers upon their arrival at the airport.
He said the screening process was conducted before the passengers step out of the main arrival hall after collecting their luggage.
"Passengers with symptoms will be moved to an isolation room before they are attended to by medical personnel. Although Kuantan is not a busy airport we are not prepared to take any chances and since the authorities proposed the idea, the airport management agreed.
"Besides flights from Kuala Lumpur, we have passengers including tourist arriving through direct flights from Singapore and Penang," he told the New Straits Times.
Kuantan District Health officer Dr Fatimah A Majid said the two international entry points here - LTSAS and Kuantan Port - were being closely monitored by the health department.
"Besides international passengers arriving at the airport, crew members from three vessels which arrived from China were screened with thermal scanners at the port. So far they (foreigners) have been cooperative and to date no Coronavirus cases have been recorded.
"Those who display cold and flu-like symptoms, including cough and fever will be taken to the Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital for further treatment.
The public is reminded not to circulate unverified news on the virus which will only cause panic among the people," she said, adding for updates on Coronavirus, the public could refer to the Health Ministry's website (www.moh.gov.my/ncov2019)
Thermal scanners have also been placed at the Tekek Jetty on Pulau Tioman to screen tourists who visit the popular tourist island.
